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Information for Applicants
The Process for Applicants
This section is intended for any students who intend to apply for medical, dental, podiatry, or other health professional programs that require a composite/committee letter of evaluation from the Health Professions Advisor and the Medical Sciences Advisory Committee.
Students may petition to enter the process at a later time only with the permission of the Health Professions Advisor.
After matriculating to GMU
- MUST complete the annual Welcome Week Survey.
- MUST register with PREHEALTH-L listserv and WebCT class for prehealth applicants.
- Should attend Applicants Advisory meetings (usually held in the middle of fall semester).
- Should attend recruitment visit meetings or open houses.
- Begin any volunteering experience in a patient-oriented or clinical environment. Pursue research opportunities.
- Begin calculating budget to apply for and attend a graduate program, including any formal test preparation courses (begin after completing all prerequisites).
By three semesters before intended matriculation
- MUST return a signed Composite Request Form by February 1. Upon receipt, two interviewers will be assigned, and you will need to complete both interviews before the end of the spring semester.
- MUST upload a digital photograph.
- MUST upload personal statement essay and other supplemental essays by May 1.
- Should provide a preliminary list of evaluators, but all solicited letters of recommendation MUST be received by May 1 (non-faculty) or after all grades have been posted for spring semester.
- All letters must be received by June 1 for early committee letter transmission. August 1 is the final deadline for solicited letters.
- Should research and finalize list of possible schools. Should attend recruitment visit meetings or open houses.
Summer of the application year
- MUST submit centralized application form. MUST approve transcript release to application services.
- MUST take appropriate admissions test (unless taken within the last two years).
- MUST complete all secondary applications.
Composite / Committee Letters are written and transmitted to appropriate schools (June-September).
Checklist for applying after junior year
This general checklist revised from the Timeline for Application and Admission in the AAMC's Medical School Admissions Requirements and the George Washington University Graduate and Professional Career Fair. Predental students can also view the timeline from the University of Kentucky.
This checklist can be modified depending on your circumstances, but for the most part many of the application steps are very similar.
Fall Semester "Junior"
- Finish strong in remaining required prehealth classwork.
- Compare your academic record to requirements for pre-health advising and possible health professions programs.
- Conduct informational interviews with potential employers or admissions officers.
- Complete pre-application for prehealth advising. Join WebCT "class" for prehealth applicants.
- Prepare year-long schedule to complete the application process.
- Register to take standardized tests (MCAT, DAT, OAT, PCAT) in the spring or early summer or as convenient. Earlier test scores won't delay the consideration of your application as much as late test scores will.
- Research options to finance prehealth education and application process. Contact the Office of Postgraduate Fellowships and Scholarships.
- At University Career Services, investigate optional career opportunities.
- Participate in community service or health care volunteer or internship opportunities, especially in leadership roles.
- Attend and participate in Mock Interview practice sessions organized by University Career Services. Get an education on etiquette and fashion before going to interview.
- Identify schools where you want to apply for Early Decision status.
Spring Semester "Junior"
Summer Semester
- Prepare standardized application (primary and/or secondary).
- Take the required standardized entrance exam(s).
- Complete volunteer or internship opportunities.
- Attend summer school classes if needed.
- Submit early decision applications. Many of these programs have deadlines around mid-July to early August!
- Shop for interview clothing, especially during the tax-free periods in early August.
Fall Semester "Senior"
- Finish off degree requirements and don't suffer from a senior slump.
- Prepare secondary applications when they have been received. Complete them in a timely manner.
- Prepare resumes for "real life" jobs, and attend various career fairs.
- Prepare for interviews (graduate school as well as any "real life jobs").
- Enjoy your senior year as a student leader.
- Investigate financing for medical school, and begin process to document eligibility for aid.
Spring Semester "Senior"
- File your taxes as soon as you can so that you can qualify early for financial aid.
- Fill out financial aid information (FAFSA).
- Respond to invitations to interview, and visit those schools.
- Interview for jobs or graduate school positions.
- If you are offered a spot in a health professions graduate program, accept or decline an offer as needed. Notify all other programs at which you were also accepted that you have decided. Do not hold more than one acceptance.
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Information for Applicants MSAC Pre-Application
Checklist for Applicants
Graduate Student or Employee Applicants
About Low Grades
Difficulty Paying for the Application Process
Test Registration
Test Preparation
Centralized Application Services
Picking Schools
Letters of Evaluation
Forms: (Word)
MSAC Interviews
Forms: (Word)
Admissions Interviews
Scholarship Programs
You Oughta Know...
External Links
Application and Admission Timeline for Medical School (AAMC)
NIH Graduate Partnership Program
Premedical Students Guide to Preparing for Medical Programs (University Career Services)
Medical Programs Internet Resources (University Career Services)
Nursing and Health Careers Resources (University Career Services)
Predental student timeline (University of Kentucky College of Dentistry)
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